Skip to main content

Notary Public

Risk Management and Insurance provides notary surety bonds for Northwestern employees who need a notary commission for University business.
Risk Management and Insurance provides the bond, completes the surety section, and collects the bond fee. The applicant completes and submits the commission application to the Illinois Secretary of State. Risk Management and Insurance does not complete or submit the state application.

Fees

Bond costs are charged internally to the department using the University chartstring provided with the payment form.

Internal Notary Surety Bond Fees

Bond Amount

Description

Fee

$5,000

New or renewing commission for in-person notarizations

$25.00

$30,000

New or renewing commission that includes remote notarizations

$45.00

Additional: $25,000

Existing notary with a $5,000 bond adding remote notarizations

$35.00

Bond Process

  1. Obtain the bond form that matches the request from the Illinois Secretary of State's Notary Services page. Complete and sign only the applicant section. Risk Management and Insurance completes the surety section.
  2. Submit the Notary Surety Bond Payment Form with the department's University chartstring for the bond fee, and mail the bond form to Risk Management and Insurance with the applicant section completed and signed. Leave the surety section blank for Risk Management and Insurance to complete.
  3. Risk Management and Insurance completes the surety bond section and returns the bond to the applicant.
  4. The applicant submits the separate commission application to the Illinois Secretary of State. Current instructions for online, hardship, and nonresident applications are on the Illinois Secretary of State's Notary Services page.
  5. After the commission is approved, Report the Commission to Risk Management and Insurance with the commissions effective date. This is an internal recordkeeping step. Follow the Secretary of State's instructions for any state requirements and before performing notarial acts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Risk Management and Insurance's notary bond process for University business and notary stamps.

What is the purpose of the notary bond?

Illinois requires a notary bond as part of the commission process. It provides a source of recovery for people harmed by a notary's official misconduct. The bond is not personal liability insurance for the notary.

Does the bond have to be obtained through Risk Management and Insurance?

No. Illinois allows applicants to choose a bond provider. Risk Management and Insurance provides bonds for commissions needed for University business.

Does Risk Management and Insurance provide the notary stamp?

No. After the commission certificate is issued, the notary obtains the stamp. Any department purchase or reimbursement is subject to the departmental approval and University purchasing and payment requirements. The stamp remains the notary's property, even if University funds pay for it.